The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-10-26

When Bishop Worthington, OF
Omaha, was young man. he devoted
his attention to missionary work on
the Western frontier. As can be inn
agined, the experiences he encountered
there were exceedingly novel and made
deep impression on the mind OF the
highly cultivated young man fresh
from the educational institutions of the
East. The Bishop. however, had the
happy faculty-so essential to men of
his calling-of adapting himself to his
surroundings. He is capital racon-
teur. and nothing delights him more
than to relate how the first church in
Butte, Montana, was built.
"At that time,' said he the other day,
II was a theological hedgling. but L
had seen enough of the West to know
that many kind heart was concealed
by rough exterior, and could excuse
a great many of the oaths uttered, as L
knew that they were used uncon-
sciously and were characteristic of no
profanity. Butte was then a typical
frontier town, its principal business
gambling and whisky selling. Talked
to the men in plain, common-sense
manner, letting theological doctrines
severely alone. At first l didn't try to
force religion down their Threats, but
contented myself with subjects OF gen.
eral interest to tho town--told them
stories to point moral, and in fact,
gradually won their confidence. My
pulpit was pine box and the blue
arch of heaven my roof. One day the
biggest gambler in town, who was
dubbed "Short-Card Jake" called me
to one side for private conversation.
"'Parson' said he, Il kind of cotton
to yer. Yer rustler an you've been
talkin' sense. Come round to my
ranch-the International-to night an
I'll show yer whar yer can do some
good
Il assented to the proposition, and
at the appointed hour l was at the
place. There were dozen different
gambling games in full blast, and
money was changing hands with ra-
pidity. My friend Jake was dealing
faro, but as soon as he saw me he left
his seat and came over to where / was
standing.
'Parson,' said he, I'm gwine tel
build yer q church. It's cussed
shame for yer to be preachin' oIt il
the open air while us galoots hez got
the chips to house we.
Jake then mounted an up ended bar
rel, and firing his revolver through the
roof. said Boys, I'm gwine ter make
q little speech. l amt much shakes
on the talk, but I'm gwine ter do the
best I knows how. L don't take NJ
stock in religion, but l believes in Civ
ing every man fair show for his dust
Now, here's the parson, a weak, puny
thing, who don't know brace-box
from roulette wheel. but he's sI'a'r.
He amt been moseyin' round tryin' to
interfere with us, an propose to build
him q church. What's more, L pro
pose to have you help do it. You a.
knows me. L kin play cards an XIII
shoot, an if any galoot don't believe /
I'll show him right quick. Now, boys
1 propose that each game have rake
off for the parsons church. Ever,
man holdin' two pair or better III put
chip in the kitty. 1t won't hurt We
boys, an yer may be glad of it by-an'
by. Now, parson, turning to me, 'yol
go an take snooze. Needn't be afrait
O gettin' gouged, cause propose to 81
in the lookout chair myself an So
that every man comes to the 'front.'
"The next morning bright and earl,
Jake knocked at my door. We'll, par
son. said he, the game has just shu
down, and here's the proceeds of tn
rake-off.' With that he took lot o
gold and greenbacks from his pocket
and handed them to me. The amour
was $3.50, and with that 1 built tn
first church in Butte City. "-Chicag
Tribune.